The Ruffian

Are our new AI overlords tools intelligent in the same way humans are? Is an AI agent truly, well agentic? Does it have a mind of its own, so to speak? Might it just decide to destroy us? Or is this completely the wrong way to think about it?In this episode I get into these questions with Professor Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology and affiliate professor of philosophy at UC Berkeley, where she's also a member of the AI Research Group.As many of you will know, Alison is a brilliant and profound thinker on cognition, innovation, and learning. She bridges the worlds of developmental psychology, philosophy, and technology. Her superb books on the science of childhood learning were a big influence on my own book about curiosity..I invited Alison on to discuss a recent paper she co-authored which argues that AI is not an ‘agent’ but a ‘cultural technology’ like the library or the printing press - just the latest in our long history of finding new ways to organise and transmit human information at scale. We discuss that and much else besides. This was so much fun to record. Alison gives us a scintillating and witty tour of her thinking about thinking; human and machine. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ian-leslie.com/subscribe

I recently talked to James Marriott about the future of writing and journalism in the age of AI. James was quite worried about how good the chatbots have got at writing and wondered if it spells doom for human writers, especially journalists. So I thought it would be good to follow up with a conversation with Jasmine Sun, a very talented young tech journalist and thinker from San Francisco. Jasmine writes for publications including the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Standard. She has a Substack - read her notes on AI and writing here - and is collaborating with the NYT’s chief tech columnist Kevin Roose on a book about the race to AGI.Jasmine worked in tech - for Substack, actually - before taking the leap into freelance journalism. It’s a slightly counter-intuitive career move and one I was keen to hear more about. Jasmine explains why she has faith in the future of journalism and human writing. We get into what LLMs can and can’t do; the human skills they can replicate, and those they can’t; why automation is often harder than people in tech think; whether there will be successful AI influencers; why people still seek a human connection; the importance of struggle in creativity. (At one point I mention Will Storr’s AI experiment - see here). As you can tell, while the conversation is centred on writing it’s about more than that.Jasmine was a brilliant guest, bubbling with insight and ideas, and great company. Since she was in London for a few days so we took the chance to record our chat in person. We used Westminster Podcast Studio, a small but perfectly formed studio in Kennington which I recommend. The audio pod is on all the usual platforms, and the video version is below. This is Part 1. In Part 2, for paid subscribers, we get into the nitty-gritty of how to get the most out of LLMs, Jasmine has some excellent tips on that. That’s coming soon.Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ian-leslie.com/subscribe

James Marriott, a Times columnist and Substack writer, dives into the provocative question of whether AI tools like ChatGPT could threaten the future of human writers. He shares fascinating insights from his own experiments with AI-generated poetry and literary criticism. The discussion highlights AI’s impressive mimicry of style while addressing its limitations in genuine depth and emotion. Marriott emphasizes the irreplaceable value of personal expression in writing, raising critical thoughts about authorship and the evolving landscape of literature.

In this episode of The Ruffian’s podcast we discuss what is possibly the single most important event in human history: the Industrial Revolution. If you look at all the economic data before (very roughly) 1780-1840, you see flat lines. Afterwards, everything starts going up, and continually. It's not just GDP - human welfare is transformed. Human became much more numerous and at the same time much richer, longer lived, and healthier.The Industrial Revolution wasn't just about coal and steel and factories. More fundamentally, it was the moment we learned how to continually get more value out of the same or fewer resources. The discovery of productivity growth transformed the human condition.But there are big unsolved questions about the origins of this transformation. Why did it happen at that time and not earlier? Even more puzzlingly, why did it happen first in Britain, and not, say, France, or the Netherlands, or China? Historians have debated these questions for decades. Some point to material factors like the price of labour and natural resources; others think that culture was more important. My guest leans toward the latter explanation, although as you’ll see, he has his own particular take on it.Anton Howes is an historian of innovation who is currently writing a book on the Industrial Revolution's origins based on his deep research into the leading inventors and entrepreneurs of the era. He has a popular Substack called The Age of Invention in which he shares some of the amazing stories he has uncovered. I’m delighted to have him on the show.This is part one of our conversation, in which we discuss Anton’s idea of “the improving mentality”, the mindset that he sees as underpinning the Industrial Revolution, and why it became widespread in Britain first of all. In part two, for paid subscribers only, we discuss why most of the action took place in the north of England rather than in London.Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ian-leslie.com/subscribe

In this engaging conversation, James Marriott, a columnist for The Times known for his insights on British culture, explores the intricacies of the British elites. He dives into themes from the book *Born To Rule*, discussing how today's elites blend traditional status symbols with cultural relatability. The conversation examines the evolving landscape of elitism, highlighting how art reflects elite politics and moral signaling. Marriott also critiques the rise of 'woke' ideologies as status symbols among younger elites, shedding light on the intersection of wealth, culture, and identity.

Nabeel Qureshi, a multifaceted software engineer and entrepreneur, shares his diverse insights on living intentionally. He discusses the art of personal growth, emphasizing self-awareness and how comparing oneself to others can facilitate understanding. Through intriguing anecdotes, he highlights the importance of emotional control in conflict resolution and strategic thinking, drawing parallels with chess. Listeners will also appreciate his thoughts on pursuing excellence while navigating nostalgia and how technology affects our quest for fulfillment.

Jemima Kelly is a columnist and reporter for the Financial Times and one of the most original and interesting voices in the British press. She writes about culture and economics and politics and always comes at them from unexpected angles, usually with a dose of humour. As a reporter she likes to dive into worlds very different from her own, and in late 2022 she took a trip to a very strange world indeed: Palm Beach in Florida, island of billionaires, and home to Mar-a-Lago, the court of Donald Trump. She got herself invited to Mar-a-Lago, where she met Trump and observed him up close in his natural habitat. She wrote a brilliant account of that adventure for the FT magazine and followed it up with a second in early 2024.I recommend reading both. But when I heard Jemima talking about her experience recently, I knew I wanted her on the podcast, because as well as being a great writer she's a natural raconteur, and has plenty to say that didn't make it on to the page.What follows is a vivid, funny, and often surprising impression of what Trump is like in person. Jemima also gives a highly perceptive analysis of how his weird brand of personal charisma connects to his political success. I would say this, but I truly think this is one of the best analyses of Trump’s personality and appeal you’re likely to come across.This conversation is in two parts. After Jemima and I talked about Trump at Mar-a-Lago, we recorded a bonus episode which starts off about being about Trump's marriage to Melania and veers off into a discussion of his love of music, before culminating in a grand theory of American presidential politics.This first episode is free for everyone. The second is only for paid subscribers. I'll be releasing it shortly. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ian-leslie.com/subscribe

James Kanagasooriam, Chief Research Officer at Focal Data and a political analyst who coined 'Red Wall,' dives into the intriguing world of 'culturenomics.' He discusses how culture and economics are reshaping voter behavior, especially among young right-leaning voters. The conversation reveals the evolution of political allegiances influenced by events like Brexit and the 2008 crisis. Kanagasooriam also addresses demographic shifts in U.S. politics, implications of economic growth on sentiment, and the complexities of the trans debate in contemporary governance.

In this engaging discussion, James Marriott, a columnist for The Times known for his sharp cultural insights, delves into the phenomenon of Jordan Peterson. They explore Peterson's '12 Rules for Life,' highlighting its blend of philosophy and psychology. The conversation navigates the chaos and order in parenting, emphasizing growth through chaotic experiences. Marriott also critiques modern self-help ideologies while examining the duality of fame and philosophy, showcasing how personal struggles shape an influential public persona.